Thill-coupling



(No Model.)

' J. H. ADAMS.

Thill Coupling.

Patented June 14,1881.

Inventor:

UNITED STATES JOHN H. ADAMS, OF DEERING, MAINE.

Tl-llLL-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 243,031, dated June 14, 1881 Application filed March 28, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN H. ADAMS, of Deering, in the county of Cumberland and State of Maine ,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Thin-Couplings, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the class of thillcouplings known as anti-rattlers anditeonsists in providing a device which not only prevents the rattling of the thill-iron when the coupling is new and first put on the vehicle, but which is so adjusted and arranged that the rattling is prevented until the coupling is so worn away that its use becomes unsafe.

The device by which I accomplish these results is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 shows the coupling attached to the shaft. Fig.2 shows the coupling not attached. Fig. 3 is a front view ofthe same. Fig. 4 is a detail of the clutch or clamp-hook. Fig. 5 is a modification sometimes desirable.

The same letters refer to similar parts in the different drawings.

A is the axle; B, the axle-clip-, which is provided with a socket, O, for holding the thilliron. This clip is fastened'in the usual way around the axle by the clip-tie D by means of the bolt-screws a a. The clip-tie D is provided with a downward projection or tongue, E, through which a screw-bolt, 1), passes, as hereinafter explained.

The thill-iron F is held in the socket O by the cross-b01134), and may be provided with a metal loop, 6, for holding a strap, as'hereinafter explained.

The clamp hook or clutch G is placedjust back of the thill-iron in front of the axle-clip, and consists of three parts cast in one piece the head 0, body or shank f, and foot y.

The head 6 corresponds on its forward edge very nearly to the convex surface of the thilliron which it clasps. This head may be of metal or other suitable material, and the back of the head may be convex, square, or of any shape which will give it sufficient strength to resist the action of the thill. This head may, if desired, have its upper edge slightly cut away, instead of being straight, as shown in Fig. 3, to allow the th ill to be turned back without being cut by the sharp edge of the clamphook. An elastic pad of rubber, leather, or similar material may be inserted between the concave face of the head and the thill-iron, or the face may press directly against the thilliron, as desired. In both cases the rattling would be prevented, but the latter would wear out sooner. As the surface of the thill-iron F or that of the head 6 wears away, the required closeness of contact between them is preserved by the action of the body and foot of the clamphook, as hereinafter explained.

The body or shank f is pivoted by the pin it to the forward end of the clip-tie, as shown in Fig. 2; or it maybe provided,as in Figs. land 4, with a rounded slot, 2', which clasps the for ward end of the clip-tie or it may be constructed in any other way which will cause the clamp-hook to be held stationary. at its middle or pivotal point, and thus act as a lever to press the head forward against the thill-iron when the foot is drawn back, as hereinafter explained. Itis sometimes expedient not to have this shankfriveted, as shown in Fig. 2, as the pressure alone will hold it in place against the clip-tie, and it can be more easily removed and replaced than if riveted.

The foot y, as before stated, is drawn back, in order that the clamp-hook G, turning upon its center at h, may keep the head 0 constantly pressing against the thill-iron, and thus prevent its rattling. This is effected by the screwbolt b, which, as before stated, passes through the projection E of the clip-tie. Several ways of pulling back this foot are practicable, and I do not limit myself to the use of any one of these ways. Thus the boltmay pass through the foot y, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and thence through the projection E, where it is held by a nut, in which case the forward end of the bolt is providedwith a cylindrical or drumshaped head,k, which rests in the groove 1 of the foot y, thus allowing a certain amount of play to the foot without interfering with the action of the bolt; or the bolt 1) may be a double bolt or liasp, n, and pass around the foot of the clamp-hook instead of through it. This modification is showniin Fig. 5.

It is sometimes desirable to have the head of the screw-bolt b terminate in a loop, at, as shown in Fig. 2. In this case a short strap passes from this loop to the loop 01, previously too mentioned as being fastened to the thill-iron; or this loop we may be placed upon the end of the foot g, if preferred. Should the coupling break or become detached, the strap would prevent the shaft from falling. Such strap is a common device for effecting this purpose. The action of this bolt 1) may be aided by the introduction of a spring, 0, (which may be of rubber or of coiled metal,) as shown in Fig. 2, between the nut and the projection E but this spring is not necessary to the desired working of the coupling.

1 claim-- 1. A thill-coupling which consists of a head, 6, shank, f, and foot, g, and Which is provided with a bolt, b, for holding back said foot and scribed. ,1,

- JOHN H. ADAMS.

Witnesses:

WM. 1. PREBLE, ABNER H. DAVIS. 

